Thierry Henry is caught in a Catch 22, trapped between needing rest to recover from the heat and needing minutes to get sharp and fit. It seems the Red Bulls captain is going for the latter, all in for tomorrow’s 2:30 p.m. derby against rival Philadelphia Union.

“I feel good. I’ve started only four games since April, so it’s not a lot. That’s the thing; I’m fighting fitness and trying to get back into shape, and also trying to not get injured because it’s a busy schedule especially … in the heat that we had before,’’ said Henry. “But I have to do it that way; and I’m not the only one. It’s not easy. But thankfully for us, the weather has changed a bit.

“(I’m feeling) good. I just need to play. I need minutes. That’s the only thing now. As I said, over two or three months or so, I’ve started only four games; so I have to get back on track and be healthy. That’s the most important thing. So far, so good. It’s just a matter of minutes to get the rhythm back.’’

Henry was in perfect rhythm early in the season, tearing MLS defenses asunder. But then he hobbled off the field on April 28 against New England, scoring the game winning goal but then leaving with a hamstring injury. He’s also had calf injuries, his chronic Achilles problem and the fixture congestion as well.

But with the Red Bulls severely shorthanded – keeper Ryan Meara, all-star defender Heath Pearce, Teemu Tainio, Jan Gunnar Solli and Rafa Marquez all having been ruled out for tomorrow – they need every able body they can muster to try and salvage seven points out of this three-game homestand.

“It is (important),’’ said Henry. “We were hoping for nine (points). Obviously, we know we can’t get nine. But again, it’s a conference game. You want to beat Philly, they’re doing extremely well at the moment, they’re a team in form at the moment. As you know, it won’t be an easy game and we want to win. That’s what we want and try to stay in the position that we are (in) right now, if not more.’’